Cam

I would probably be pissed off if they were there meeting 2 other guys, but they aren't flying 8000 miles and spending a ton of money.

Wow - talk about arrogance!!

The least you can do is to tell each of them that you plan to meet three girls on that trip, so that they know the score. Anything else is dishonest.

By the way - wife from Kazan says, although it is a million people or so, the places for you to go out with these women are relatively few. The odds of being seen by one with the other are not ao astronomically high.

Also, have you considered what you will tell one when you are off with another? "Well honey, it was nice being with you today. Let's get together again the day after tomorrow" isn't likely going to cut it, since I'm guessing you are a pasty white dude who speaks no Russian, and will be, relatively speaking, way out of your element. Surely they will ask what you will be doing with your time in a place like Kazan if you are not spending it with them. Just something to consider.

This strategy reminds me of the stories my wife tells about girls on her forum - where the woman will decide to marry the guy who gives her the best gifts, considering the other guys to be "cheap". So, on that note, be sure to bring some nice gifts with you, and give them to the youngest and prettiest girl you find and is young enough to be your daughter (or grand daughter) - eh, I mean, the one you like the most, while on your trip.

Cheers!

AKDiver

Who said I was looking for the best one or the prettiest, wasn't me. Maybe the best one for me. I have over 2 months to go. So far one said Don't worry she'll be at the airport at 5:20 in the morning, sounds like a nice one. The other 2 live outside Kazan and will probably ask for money for the train. I don't drink or smoke, you guys are driving me to the bottle HA!

I don't think its the meeting someone in person that is being questioned here. Perhaps its the idea that you're going to meet 3 ladies and then 'choose' the best one that seems a bit strange, at least to people at VJ.

Most of us here had ONE person in mind (and heart) that we spent a lot of time and effort getting to know - and likely felt that we were in love with - before travelling 8000 miles (give or take) for a face to face meeting. So it seems a bit odd to travel that far for , essentially, 3 dates. Surely you can drive to the next town and have 3 dates - and save yourself the time, money and trouble, yes?

Just my .02 as I flew past the Russia forum.

Well I think I will keep my mouth shut and stay out of trouble for awhile.

Anyway I still can't get my picture to come up.

Supposed to meet 3 Russian girls in Kazan, hopefully not all at once. I hope my timeline will start then.

I wouldn't be too worried about gangs and crime. But in your case I'd be on a particular look out, because if any of these girls get a hint that you went "shopping for a girl" then I wouldn't be surprised if they sent a friend or relative to "take care of you".

I would probably be pissed off if they were there meeting 2 other guys, but they aren't flying 8000 miles and spending a ton of money. And who knows if one or all won't show up. I know them as well as you can over the internet. Have to go there and meet them right? I can't fly back and forth meeting one girl a trip.

I

Leaving for Kazan on October 4. I've been hearing about trouble with gangs in Russia. Anybody hear about gangs in Kazan?

Cam,

It's funny to me how what we here about crime in Russia, generally, appears much more fantasy than what I've seen there.

I noticed that your profile doesn't say whether you've filed a petition, there is no timeline, and it doesn't say where your location is. Can you share any of this information with us? Also, have you been to Russia before your upcoming trip; and, if so, where in Russia? Thanks.

And, best wishes!

Hi,

I live in Glendora CA about 30 miles east of Los Angeles. I have never been to Russia and also have never been out of the USA. This will be an experience. I have tried posting a picture of myself but I guess I did it wrong. I am 42 years old. Supposed to meet 3 Russian girls in Kazan, hopefully not all at once. I hope my timeline will start then.

Cam

Leaving for Kazan on October 4. I've been hearing about trouble with gangs in Russia. Anybody hear about gangs in Kazan?

My wife is from Kazan (:

I didn't see any gangs while I was there (twice) - but I didn't look for them either. It's a Muslim republic, so probaly less issues on that front.

As with anywhere else, use common sense and you'll probably be fine.

Cheers!

AKDiver

Could you tell me what the weather is like in Kazan the first half of October?

Thanks,

Cam

dont know about that part of the world but, i wish you a safe trip!

Thanks, cute cat.

Leaving for Kazan on October 4. I've been hearing about trouble with gangs in Russia. Anybody hear about gangs in Kazan?

I'd rather hear a harp than, "turn your head and cough."

Might be a cute Russian nurse.

Ever get it translated?

Yep Natalia translated for me. It was from a girl who didn't know who the hell I was. I guess a scammer was using her name and address. I wrote to her about 6 months ago. She has been translating my letter ever since.

Does anyone know where I can go to the doctor's office here where a woman is playing the harp? That's high class! I wonder if HMOs or PPOs cover that sort of thing? Or, what if the harpist isn't "on network?" Does it cost more?

I don't think I want to hear a harp at the doctor's office.

Yep it's me again. I got a letter today from Russia. It's all in Russian. The only thing I can read is my name and address. I scanned it into my computer I was wondering if I could send it to someone here. And maybe you could help me. I tried an online Russian to English translator but it keeps saying no matches.

Thanks,

Cam

Hostels sound cheap, but 2 people they charge double. Seems to be cheaper to get a hotel room/

Anyone stay in a nice cheap hostel in Moscow. I found some online but I'd like to see if any of you would recommend one.

Diphtheria is more of a personal contact disease, though.

However, factors such as inadequate healthcare delivery systems, poverty and other social factors have led to diphtheria being an endemic/epidemic in many regions of the world e.g. the former USSR, the Indian subcontinent, South East Asia and South America. Diphtheria therefore, continues to be a serious health problem within these countries and presents potential health risks to other countries (Warton et al. 2000, Journal of Infectious Diseases 2000;181:S1; Dittmann, S. et al. 2000, Journal of Infectious Diseases 2000;181:S10-S22).

The microbe

Diphtheria is caused by exotoxin-producing strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The microbe is a gram-positive, club-shaped rod that appears in clusters of cells lying next to one another in X and Y shapes. The bacteria contain inclusions of phosphate that appear red when stained with methylene blue, and this property can be useful for its identification. C. diphtheriae is closely related to other corynebacteria that are part of the normal flora of humans with the major difference being the ability to produce exotoxin. All virulent strains of C. diphtheriae are lysogenized by a bacteriophage that carries the diphtheria toxin gene. In the absence of the bacteriophage, the microbe is unable to cause serious disease. Expression of the toxin gene in a patient depends on the blood iron concentration dropping to a critically low level for reasons described below. Humans are the only natural hosts for the organism.

Exotoxins suck

However you can take proper precautions

Prevention

Maintain good personal and environmental hygiene.

Maintain good indoor ventilation.

Keep hands clean and wash hands properly.

Wash hands when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions e.g. after sneezing.

Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and mouth discharge properly.

Cleanse used toys and furniture properly.

Disinfect soiled articles properly.

Here's what these little chopfcuks look like

I think I'll get vaccinated. Thanks

Just wondering if anyone got a shot for diptheria I read it was going around Russsia.

Cam

Do they sell bottle water everywhere in Russia. And I hope soda is safe to drink. I thought they had Mac Donalds over there.

Just wondering if anyone got a shot for diptheria I read it was going around Russsia.

Cam

I don't know where the idea of paying an EXTRA $200 for using a service came from. I use www.russia-visa.com and pay $160 for a double entry tourist visa WITH invitation. Just fill out application online and send in your passport with one photo. Tell them the dates. Be sure the begining date is the day you will arrive or before.

So really I am paying an extra $60 for the invitation and their work. Much easier for me. They don't care where you are staying. They don't care if you already have a plane reservation or not. I always make my travel reservations first then apply for the visa.

You will have to pay the shipping, but you have to do that anyway unless you are lucky and live close to the embassy.

I did do the homestay visa once, but it was a hassle and never did it again after that trip. Much easier for me to do the tourist visa.

Russia-visa.com looks like the way to go. Thanks

Can she email an invitation to me. What does it have to say and look like. I am planning on staying in a hotel. Probably in July. Flying into Kazan and going with her to Volzsk.

The simple answer is no.

The key to this question is what kind of visa are you planning on applying for.

For a private visa your fiancee needs to go to the OVIR and have them issue an official invitation which must be mailed to you.

See example at below:

http://www.visahouse.com/images/Invitation_large.jpg

But this visa should only be used if you are planning a homestay visit which based on the information you provided would not be the case for you.

The other kind of visas you can consider are tourist and business.

A tourist visa voucher can be faxed or emailed to you. It looks something like this:

http://www.waytorussia.net/RussianVisa/VisaSupport.gif

I am unable to locate a picture of the business visa voucher.

Technically speaking if you book a hotel in Russia the hotel or Russian travel agency should send you the tourist voucher for free or for nominal cost. Few people do this because it sounds inconvenient.

Since that option is probably out, you'll have to order your own voucher.

The key differences between the business visa and tourist visa are:

1. Cost - (tourist visa invitation can be ordered for as little as $30). Business visa invitation can cost over $200.

2. Length of stay. Tourist visa is limited to 30 days. Business can be up to a year. If you plan on making more trips this year, the business visa might be more cost effective.

Keep in mind that in each city you stay in more than 72 hours you must register your visa, or face "possible" fines. Not all fines are enforced and no exact amount is listed for any fine.

Or as Slim and others have done, just screw all this and pay an extra $200 and have an agency do the entire process for you.

I'll be getting a tourist visa, guess I'll get an invitation online.

Thanks for the help, I will probably be back for more.

Cam if you're doing the invitation letter/sending it to the consul yourself, don't get tickets yet. Tell them what dates you want to go on, then buy tickets after the visa is issued.

If you're going to use an online service (and spend an extra $200) then buy your tickets first and tell the company what your travel dates are. They will get your visa for you on those dates (probably +/- a few days.)

When I went to Moscow, I bought my tickets, then once they arrived, I went through a serivice and told them exactly what dates my tickets were for. They issued my visa for the exact dates.

Satellite has told us repeatedly that it's silly to do it this way if you can get the invitation for the homestay visa, and I agree with him, but for me, it was more convenient to spend the extra $200 and go through the agency so I could get my visa issued more quickly. If you have a few months to plan your trip then definately get your fiancee to send you an invitation. If not, get one of the online services to get it for you.

on't know if she is my fiancee yet. Can she email an invitation to me. What does it have to say and look like. I am planning on staying in a hotel. Probably in July. Flying into Kazan and going with her to Volzsk.

Sorry Russian Consulate website.

Cam

On the Russian embassy website it says Do not buy plane ticket until you have visa. But you have to give your travel dates. What if you can't get a ticket on the date you gave them.

Cam

Sorry wrong Forum again

On the Russian embassy website it says Do not buy plane ticket until you have visa. But you have to give your travel dates. What if you can't get a ticket on the date you gave them.

Cam

One of my duties at my previous job was to make Russian visas for German citizens. They never asked for cover letters at Russian consulate in Berlin. What they really wanted was an invitation from Russia, and passport that would be valid for at least another 6 months. And you've better apply in advance, since it's more expensive when they stamp your visa in a hurry (same day processing or even "three-five business days" vs. ordinary 10 business days).

I don't think there is much difference between Russian consulate in Germany and in US.

Application for visa for me to travel to Russia from US

Never mind just my screw computer